The Mistress

Kabanata 22

Dalawang buwan na ang lumipas mula nang huli kaming magkita ni Mike. We do video calling almost every night. Minsan hindi siya nakakatawag dahil na rin sa trabaho niya.

Next month na gaganapin ang sinabing island hopping sa akin ni Mike. It means, tapos na siya sa training nila sa Baybay at malalaman na kung saan sila madedestino.

Midterms came running too fast and we're now busy studying for it.

"Ugh! Sumasakit na ulo ko! Shopping tayo, please," si Veronica habang nakasimangot kaharap ang laptop niya.

She's sleeping over for us to study. Inaya ko si Shelly pero baka gabihin pa raw siya galing trabaho kaya sa kanila na lang daw siya mag-aaral.

I wanted to help her financially para sana hindi na niya ma-miss ang ibang night outs or kung ano pa man. Puro na lang siya trabaho which I understand.

I wanted to give her my extra card for her to use it. But I think she would refuse my offer. Naawa lang ako sa kanya at sa kalagayan ng pamilya niya ngayon. Bisitahin ko kaya siya sa bahay nila?

"Hey! Are you even listening to me?!

Nagulat ako at naputol sa pag-iisip. Mariin na ang titig sa akin ni V.

"What?" Tanong ko, hindi ko naman narinig ang mga pinagsasabi niya.

She rolled her eyes and let out a frustrated groan.

"Saan ba lumilipad utak mo? Kanina pa kaya ako talak nang talak dito tapos nakatunganga ka lang diyan," inis niyang sabi.

I sighed.

"I'm worried of Shelly. Kung nakakapag-aral ba siya. She's too busy with her work. She doesn't even have time to call me."

"O, you sound like her parent. Sorry ha, pero you're worrying too much. Remember, too much is bad, Lana."

"V, ganito naman talaga ako 'di ba?Kahit kanino, kahit sa 'yo," I reasoned.

"Yes, I know. Pero you should know if sumusobra kana. Minsan, pinakain mo na nga gamit ang kamay mo pero pati kamay mo kakagatin pa."

Tumayo siya at sinagot ang tawag sa cellphone niya. While I was left dumb-founded. Hindi ko nakuha ang ibig niyang sabihin.

Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko nang mag ring iyon. Si Mike, tumatawag.
A smile plastered in my lips immediately.

"Hi!" I greeted him.

"How's my baby?" He said in a low hoarse voice. I bit the insides of my cheeks to stifle my smile.

"Ito, studying. Midterms is near na, e."

I glanced at V na busy pa rin sa cellphone niya.

"Hmm. Naalala mo 'yong island hopping namin?"

Of course! How would I forgot it. I've been waiting for it!

"Yeah? When was it again?"
Pretender Lana. Kunyari nakalimutan para hindi halatang excited.

"Second week next month. Are you coming?"

I paused for a moment, acting like I was deciding if I would go or not. But I'm just pretending, okay? I had a plan.

"Sorry, but I think I can't go, e. Marami kasi akong school projects and stuff to do and hindi kaya ng schedule ko," I said, sounding like I'm telling him a sad news.

Hindi siya nagsalita agad at kinabahan ako. Nagalit ba siya? But I had a plan! It was a perfect plan. I wanted to surprise him.

"It's fine." He chuckled.